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For Immediate Release
Tuesday, Nov. 30, 2010
NEWS RELEASE
WINNIPEG BUSINESS COMMUNITY HELPS YES! WINNIPEG
REACH $6-MILLION GOAL IN JUST SIX MONTHS
Yes! Winnipeg Team Now in Place – Fully Operational Jan. 4
Nov. 30, 2010 – Winnipeg’s private sector has stepped up financially to ensure the success of a new economic development initiative aimed at attracting new businesses to the city of Winnipeg, helping local entrepreneurs to launch new businesses and assisting existing businesses to expand can move forward.
The Yes! Winnipeg initiative fundraising campaign led by Wellington West CEO Charlie Spiring has achieved its goal of raising $6 million in pledges over the next five years – with over $4 million being raised through the private sector and $2 million from the public sector.
“Over 100 firms and organizations have invested to make this a success, which clearly shows their belief in the importance of this initiative,” said Spiring. “With the investment campaign now completed the Yes! Winnipeg initiative can now move forward and focus on starting to deliver on the creation of 4,200 new jobs over the next five years and the increased investment in our community.”
At an event today Yes! Winnipeg Leader Bill Morrissey introduced the nine members of the Yes! Winnipeg team, which will officially begin operations on Jan. 4, 2011.
“Economic Development Winnipeg Inc. congratulates The Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce on their passionate approach to raising the required capital for the Yes! Winnipeg initiative,” said Marina R. James, president and CEO, Economic Development Winnipeg Inc.
“This investment from the private sector will enhance our ability to grow results including bolstering proactive business retention, expansion and attraction efforts within the context of EDW’s broader economic development strategy.”
Originally founded by The Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce, Yes! Winnipeg will now become an initiative with Economic Development Winnipeg Inc. that will be responsible for business attraction, expansion and retention for the City of Winnipeg.
“We are very excited about the potential opportunities that exist for Winnipeg now that Yes! Winnipeg is operational,” said Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Dave Angus. “We have pushed for this initiative to be realized for a number of years and look forward to very positive results.”
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Contact: Chuck Davidson – Vice-President Policy
Tel: 944-3316
Cell: 782-1679
E-mail: cdavidson@winnipeg-chamber.com